Post on 21-Sep-2020
THE SABC EDITORIAL POLICIES
EXPLAINED
7/10/2018 1
BACKGROUND
Editorial Policies are intended to help the editorial staff negotiate difficult editorial issues
and decisions so that distinctive and compelling – and sometimes controversial – programmes
can be made, while maintaining the highest ethical and editorial standards.
Essentially the policies provide the framework within which SABC staff take decisions about
the content that is carried on our platforms.
The development and implementation of comprehensive editorial policies is characteristic
of public broadcasting and is one of the key mechanisms to ensure that these
broadcasters fulfill their mandates.
The Editorial Code and Policies of 2004 are the current Editorial Policies in place at the
SABC. These policies were developed through a rigorous process of engagement with
key stakeholders, staging of public hearings and examination of international best
practice
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CONTEXT
The SABC, as the national broadcaster, is mandated to inform, educate and entertain South
Africans. The Editorial Policies are informed by the following
The Constitution:
• Equality, non-racism, non-sexism
• Freedom of Speech
• Freedom of Religion
• Right to Dignity
The Broadcast Act The ECA ICASA Act
• Includes broadcast charter
• Defines CB, PCB, PSB, CSB
• Defines ICT
• Links BA and ICASA
• Empowers Icasa, who:
• Issues licences
• Regulates environment
SABC Editorial Policies
3 7/10/2018
EDITORIAL POLICIES
The SABC is legally obliged to develop policies to address the following:
Programming
Religious
Programmes Education
Local
Content
Universal
Services News &
Current
Affairs
Mandate
4
These policies are collectively known as the Editorial Policied and are are currently
contextualised by the Editorial Values and the Editorial Code of the SABC 7/10/2018
MANDATE: CORE VALUES
5
The SABC provides programmes for everyone, in all the
official languages, and promotes universal access to its
services. Equality
The SABC is governed by the Charter of the Corporation, which
enshrines the journalistic, creative and programming
independence of SABC staff, and constitutionally protected
freedom of expression.
Editorial
Independence
The SABC celebrates South Africa's national identity and culture,
and provides its citizens with the information they need to
participate in building our democracy.
Nation Building
The SABC reflects South Africa's diverse languages, cultures,
provinces and people in its programmes. Diversity
7/10/2018
MANDATE: CORE VALUES
6
The SABC respects the inherent dignity of all South Africans,
reflects them in their all diversity, and does not convey
stereotypical or prejudiced notions of South Africa‘s races,
cultures and sexes.
Human Dignity
In discharging their editorial responsibilities, SABC management
and staff are accountable to the SABC Board, which is charged
with ensuring that the corporation complies with the Charter. Accountability
The SABC ensures that the principles of honesty, openness and
transparency govern every aspect of its relationships with
shareholder, stakeholders, suppliers and the public.
Transparency
7/10/2018
TIMELINES
Key:
7
Nationwide Public
Consultations
Commence
23 – 27- July 2018
Consolidation of final
responses from
public consultations
1 –3 August
Complete Underway To be done
Presentation of final draft
to SABC to Ops
6 August 2018
7/10/2018
Closing date for
written submissions
01 August 2018
Final stakeholder
consultation – 31 July
2018 - JHB
Draft Editorial policies
published for public
comment
12 July 2018
Presentation of final draft
to SABC to Exco
13 August 2018
Presentation of final
draft
to SABC to Board
TBC
Lodge final draft to ICASA
End August
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
SCHEDULE
7/10/2018 8
7/10/2018 9
DATES REGIONS VENUES
Monday
23 July 2018
Kwa – Zulu Natal
SABC Provincial Office
100 Old Ford Road,
Durban
Monday
23 July 2018
Mpumalanga Valencia Community hall, 11 Delphinium street,
Valencia
Monday
23 July 2018
North West North West University
Mafikeng Campus
Tuesday
24 July 2018
Tshwane
Siyabuswa Community Hall
Section A Siyabuswa
Dr JS Moroka Rural
Tuesday
24 July 2018
Polokwane
SABC Regional offices
2 Hospital St, Polokwane
Ext 46
Polokwane
Tuesday
24 July 2018
Northern Cape
SABC Regional offices
Corner Bultfontein & South Circular Street
Kimberley
Wednesday
25 July 2018
Free State BFN SABC office precinct (OMF Church)
Cnr Markgraaff & Kellner Street Westdene
Bloemfontein
Wednesday
25 July 2018
Eastern Cape Nelson Mandela Museum
Mthatha
Friday
27 July 2018
Western Cape Isivivane Centre
Khayelitsha
Cape Town
Tuesday
31 July 2018
Gauteng SABC M1 Studios
SABC Radio Park
Auckland Park
Johannesburg
THE END
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